Does this look good on me?! It’s the first thing that we normally ask any person at any given time when we are trying clothes on! The answer to this question has the power to make us drop double our budget on a clothing item, be it dress, shoes, a purse or a necklace! So how can we make shopping easier on ourselves without having to bring along a second opinion. Below I’m going to list some ideas to combat some common figure types. Now these rules are by no means set in stone! Every body type is different, so mix and match and see what works for you!
Are you…….?
Curvy?
With this type of body you want to showcase your waist and elongate your figure to be able to show off your curves without over emphasizing it!
What to buy?
-Garments that lay gently over your curves not hug them like a second skin.
-Dresses that are cinched at the waist and narrow at the knee are great pieces to have
-Blouses that show skin at shoulder, neckline, collarbone or cleavage are good. Age appropriately of course!
-Slits are a great way to cut into your figure and allow you to show some skin!
-Vertical detailing and clean lines is KEY! This will slim any body type!
-Wraps are also a great thing to have blouses or dresses.
-Jackets that button DIRECTLY under the bust have a great effect on your body.
What to stay away from?
-Anything too tight!
-Loose fitting jackets are sweaters at the waist line. This will take away all your beautiful shape!
-Anything bulky or oversized especially at the fullest part of your hips or waist.
Short?
With this body type you want to create the illusion you are taller and create a strong vertical line from head to toe!
What to buy?
-Monochromatic Outfits (outfits that stick within the same color hue i.e. A dark violet cropped cardigan and a lavender shift dress.) This creates a very strong presence!
-Fluid fabrics, movement increases drama creating again a stronger presence, just be mindful of proportions!
-Princess seams, and center seams don the back or front with high closures will add a strong vertical line to your body.
-Medium to high heels, try to avoid shoes that wrap around the ankle or are extremely strappy. This will cut into the vertical line of your body and make you look a lot shorter then what you really are.
-Check out Shakira, she's only 5' 2'
What to stay away from?
-Horizontal prints! Just say no!
-Pleat trousers, this adds bulkiness which adds width and not length.
-Cropped pants, you probably already know this but they won’t hit you at the right angle.
-Mid-calf length skirts
-Any “sweet” details (eccentric bows, extremely ruffled blouses).
-Anything baggy.
Broad Shoulders?
We want to soften your shoulders and create balance.
What to you buy?
-Raglan sleeves. (Dolman sleeves)
-Dark tops
-Deep V-necks, this will cut in to your upper body and also take bulk out of your shoulder by cutting into your chest.
-If it doesn’t add to much bulk to your hip, try a horizontal pattern in your skirts or bottoms to balance out your figure.
Stay away from?
-Shoulder detailing (epaulettes, bows, hardware, puffy sleeves).
-Shoulder pads. Enough said!
-Bateau Collars (Boatneck collars).
-Horizontal lines at shoulders, this includes seams and yokes.
Full Bust?
The goal is to show off your curves without over-emphasizing them as well as making your neck and torso look longer.
What to buy?
-Dark toned tops with lighter bottoms to add balance.
-Tops with very light detailing, if there’s too much going on this will only make your bust look bigger!
-Open necked sweaters, blouses and dresses.
-Anything kind of garment that add a vertical line above the waist or releases fabric and adds movement at bottom.
Stay away from?
-Anything double-breasted!
-Wide/contour beltes.
-Anything adding bulk around the neck, this will also add bulk around the chest and make you took top heavy!
-Baggy tops!
Heavy Arms?
The goal of this is thinning out and extending your arms.
What to buy?
-Tops or blouses with sleeves that taper to the wrist.
-Raglan, dolmon and kimono sleeves will always slim out the arm.
-Any tops with vertical prints or seems that follow the arm.
Stay away from?
-Tight tops and sleeves
-Any kind of stiff fabric.
-Some stylist will say stay away from sleeveless; I’m an advocate of positive body image. If you want to show those arms then do it girl!
Tummy?
Our goal is to draw attention from your mid-section to your legs or face and creating a vertical line on the body. (Great for pregnant fashionistas)
What to buy?
-Long tops like cardigans, jackets, tunics and shirts that you don’t tuck in. Remember we don’t want to create unnecessary lines.
-Fabrics that drape but don’t cling.
-The Empire-waist will do absolute wonders for you! (Check Out J.Lo!)
-Narrow pants and skinny jeans (if you have slim hips otherwise it will accentuate your hips)
-Monochromatic outfits
-Tops or blouses nipped at the waist
Stay away from?
-Belted dresses or tops. (This adds unnecessary bulk.)
-Tops with waistbands or that cinch at the waist.
-Pants or skirts with any waist detailing.
-Anything cut on the bias.
Bottom Heavy?
Our goal is to show your curves without over-emphasizing them, creating balance between your hips and your shoulders as well as elongating your figure.
What to buy?
-Close fitting tops that flow over your hips and derriere.
-Dark colored bottoms.
-Lower pockets on denim also take away from a prominent bottom.
-If you are pear shaped, tops with horizontal stripes or shoulder detailing will help.
-Monochromatic outfits, with the darker tones at bottom will help.
-Tailored jackets and tops with nipped waistlines that stop at the hipbone or just cover the hips.
Stay away from?
-Bottoms with horizontal lines
-Bottoms or dresses made from anything clingy.
-Bottoms with a lot of pleats, gathers, or big prints.
-Tops that stop at the waist or mid hips.
-Anything that hits at the widest part of your hips.
-Anything that cinches at the waist.
And there you have it! Just a couple of helpful hints to help you address the way you dress in your everyday life! But please remember the best way to solve a figure “problem” is to have confidence. Don’t forget that everybody is different and might have a combination of these things. Find what works for you and you will be set for life! Have any questions!? Feel free to email me and I promise to do my best in answering all of your inquiries.
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